Marois accused of buying Facebook fans

Pauline Marois is being accused of paying for "likes" on her Facebook page.

Avideobeing circulated by Liberal party staffers shows a chart on the Parti Qubcoisleader'sFacebook pagethatshows the number of "likes" spiking for about a week-and-a-half in June and then returning to normal.

A Montreal-based digital communication specialistsaid it is possible to pay for "likes" on Facebook. Bruno Guglielminetti is manager of digital communications and information strategy for the PR firm National.

"It can be done. That's why those services are making big money. But other ways of reaching those kind of numbers could exist," said Guglielminetti.

The Parti Qubcois said the temporary increase in subscribers is due to an Internet ad campaign.

Social media battleground

Liberal MNA Geoff Kelley said the Internet will be an important "battleground" in an upcoming election.

"We'll adapt, much in the same way hand-held devices and instant e-mails had an effect on campaigns in the past," said Kelley.

He said it will be the first timethat Facebook and Twitter will be a big part of how politicians in the province campaign.